This is an heirloom quality amplifier built by an extremely skilled craftsman using very high quality parts. Eddie poured his heart and soul into this amp and by all accounts it shows. If you are unfamiliar with the amp or the designer it is worth doing a little internet research to get a feel for how special this piece is.
This Carina has the equivalent of the CCE mod (work was done by Eddie) and can use the 6P15P-EB, SV83 or the stock EL84 tube. This modification takes full advantage of the 6n15n-EV/6P15P-EB tube, which is a Russian video tube that was used as a vertical amplifier for large cathode ray tubes. Though it wasn't designed or intended for audio use, it makes one of the cleanest, most detailed sounding audio tubes you've ever heard. The improvements in imaging, soundstaging, focus, coherency, microdetail, microdynamics, and bass performance when using the 6n15n-EV/6P15P-EB with this modification are not subtle. This mod takes the Carina to the highest level. The sound is much like a good amplifier using the 45 power triode. But, if you don't like the very transparent and uncolored sound of this tube and prefer the EL84 instead, then nothing's been lost. The circuit is automatically activated when using the 6n15n-EV/6P15P-EB, and automatically deactivated when using EL84s.
As you can see from the pictures it has been meticulously kept. There is just one pinpoint little white spec on top of the amp (see pictures), which was exaggerated by the flash from my camera. It really looks like a spec of dust. I only mention it because I am really particular about my equipment. This amp is really in immaculate condition with only about 300 hrs of use.
Furthermore, it has switches that allow you to select triode (1.5 Watts) or ultralinear (3.5 Watts) mode as well as two different tones. The differences using combinations of mode and tone are not subtle, which is nice because you have an amp with different personalities to suit your mood and/or music preference. Since the Carina has a high level of resolution and speed, tube rolling is also especially effective. It also has Mundorf coupling caps that help provide a liquid, harmonically rich presentation. Also, please note that these have a lot more power than would be expected from the 1.5/3.5 Watts.
The other thing to note about this amp is that it was designed and voiced to work well with or without a preamp and can still deliver great bass weight without one. According to Eddie, unlike most SET amps, it thrives on standard, low output digital sources. Actually, it prefers them. It can easily be the centerpiece of a really nice simple system. It is also absolutely quiet on my 96dB speakers.
The tube compliment that I am including with this amp has been specifically chosen based on Eddie’s recommendations (see post by Eddie Vaughn here:
http://www.hawthorneaudio.us/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=462&start=30)
It includes the following tubes all sourced earlier this year. The tubes were new when I bought them, and I have put a maximum of 50 hrs on them:
-- 1 Amperex (labeled Hewlett-Packard) Bugelboy type Holland factory made 6DJ8 with rare early D getter (purchased NOS from Brent Jessee).
-- 1 JJ 5AR4 purchased a few months ago. The Carina was designed around the 5AR4/GZ34, which is a fast, efficient rectifier. According to Eddie, the JJ 5AR4 has 95% of the goodness of the Mullard GZ34.
-- 2 NOS closely matched pairs of 6P15P-EB’s, which tested 32/32 when I bought them a couple months back. One pair has been lightly used (about 30 hrs) and the other pair has not been used yet.
-- 3 additional pairs of NOS 6P15P-EB’s that were never used.
-- 1 pair of JJ EL84 that came stock with the amp. They have very low hrs.
My asking price of $1,300 includes shipping to lower 48 states and paypal fees (I will also accept checks or money orders and ship after they clear). I also welcome pickup if you are near the Philadelphia/ Southern New Jersey area.
I have sold quite a few things on Audiogon. My member name is "GOTOG". You can look me up to see excellent feedback
Thanks for reading my ad.
